Chamber Matters 2015

Greystone

A publication of the Douglas County Chamber

January Calendar of Events

PAGE 4

GreyStone Power Luncheon

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Welcome to New Members!

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January 2015 Issue

IT’S CHOW TIME!

The DC Chamber is proud of our restaurant members and are excited about a new 2015 marketing promotion that is ALL ABOUT THEM. The Chamber runs the community BUY LOCAL. Shop Chamber Members. program, and in 2015, we are making a special marketing investment to promote each of our Chamber Member restaurants. As restaurateurs it is not always easy for them to attend the monthly networking events to promote and grow their businesses, so this is one way the Chamber would like to send business THEIR way!

Each week in 2015, the Chamber will feature a single member restaurant as the Chamber CHOW of the Week. The goal is to encourage the community to buy local by dining in our member restaurants! Through a partnership with the Douglas County Sentinel, one restaurant each week will be highlighted as the “Chamber CHOW of the Week”. Readers will be able to find an ad in the Douglas County Sentinel on Wednesday featuring the CHOW of the Week’s special restaurant promotion. It could be a free item, buy one get one deal, or special discount. Each restaurant gets to decide how they want people to come and CHOW at their location! The Chamber CHOW of the Week will also be highlighted exclusively on Chamber social media out-lets, website and emails.

The Buy Local initiative is a true community collaborative. The DC Chamber, Douglas County Sentinel, City, County and Main Street are all partners in Buy Local and will be involved in Chamber CHOW of the Week in their own unique ways.

For more information on Chamber CHOW of the Week, visit the Chamber website at www.douglascountygeorgia.com or con-tact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.

Find us on

Treat yourself. With GreyStone Power’s great rates, you have more money for the fun things in life. Our winter residential rates are about 7.3% less than Georgia Power’s rates* and among the lowest among electric cooperatives in the state.

So, go celebrate! We’ll keep working to provide reliable, affordable power while you create more fun in your life.

*According to a 2014 rate survey by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Based on 1,000 kilowatt hours monthly residential use. GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Lower rates mean more fun time

Chamber Matters, January 2015

WellStar 1/2!

Chamber Matters, January 2015

Thank you to our 2015Chairmans Club

Sam & Rosco’s Restaurant

douglas county � Local news and photos – the county’s most complete coverage!� Local sports – unequaled by any Douglas County publication!� Local school news!� Local columnists!� Local arrest logs and court news!� Local money-saving ads!

Your subscription includes print delivery on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday mornings along with exclusive access to our website and e-edition on your computer, smartphone and tablet!

First 3 months for only $10.70. EZ-Pay only. Credit card prepayment of $10.70 required.*Please start my subscription and sign me up for EZ-Pay. At the end of the initial 3-month term, your subscription will continue and your credit card will be charged automatically each month at $10.70 per month, unless you notify the Douglas County Sentinel otherwise. Paxton Media LLC will appear on your statement.

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Mail coupon to: Douglas County Sentinel, 8501 Bowden St., Douglasville, GA 30134

Rather pay over the phone or need additional information,call 770-214-2285

Get your fi rst 3 months of theDouglas County Sentinel

for only $10.70*

Call 770-942-6571 to advertise in west georgia’s largest and most popular

local magazine!!

West Georgia

V Li ing

$99Heart Screenings*

$130Digital Mammography

Screenings*

$199Lung Cancer Screenings*

*Prices are available for a limited time. Screenings are self-pay only and not covered by insurance. To qualify for a screening, certain criteria must be met via our screeners at 770-956-STAR (7827).

Give yourself or a loved one a gift of health with a heart screening, digital mammography screening or lung cancer screening. Or treat yourself by using your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

For more information or to schedule your screening today, please call 770-956-STAR (7827).

770-956-STAR wellstar.org

It’s time to take care of yourself.

Chamber Matters, January 2015 Chamber Matters, January 2015

COFFEE CARDEXCHANGE

Sponsored by

www.celebratedouglascounty.com 770.949.2000

BUSINESSAfter Hours

5840 Bankhead HighwayDouglasville | (678) 838-4848

www.stoddardsguns.com

Thanks to Elected Officials Luncheon

Chamber Matters, January 2015 Chamber Matters, January 2015

1-2 Chamber Closed for New Year’s Day

5 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas Retreat

8 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Leadership Douglas Health & Recreation Day 8 – 9 a.m. Georgia Power Coffee Card Exchange at WellStar Douglas Hospital

9 8 – 9:30 a.m. – Chamber Connections Leads Groups at ITT Technical College 9 a.m. Workforce Development Committee at College and Career Institute

13 2 – 6 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas

14 9 a.m. Chamber Seminar Series : Affordable Healthcare Act 12 p.m. Diplomat Meeting

15 11:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting for Douglasville Winnelson 12 – 1 p.m. YPC 3rd Thursday Networking Event (location TBA)

19 Chamber closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

20 8 – 9 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting 11:30 a.m. Chairmans Club Reception 12– 1 p.m. GreyStone Power Luncheon Sponsored by T. Dennis Connally, CPA, P.C. 2015 Economic Outlook Catered by Gabe’s Downtown

23 8 – 9:30 a.m. Chamber Connections Leads Groups at ITT Technical College 11 a.m. Government Affairs Committee Meeting

27 9 a.m. Small Business Committee Meeting

29 4 – 6 p.m. Comcast Business After Hours at Douglasville Conference Center

JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS November Renewing Members

90210 SOCIAL MOBILE, LLCCorinthias Burnett - Representative

(866) 692-3550

CABIN FEVER ROASTERSRick Aloisi - Owner6716 Broad Street

Douglasville, GA 30134(404) 503-1311

DOUGLASVILLE WINNELSON COMPANYJason Buckle - Manager6480 Bankhead Hwy.

Douglasville, GA 30134(770) 949-1370

EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS - ROBINSON MERTILUSRobinson Mertilus - Financial Advisor

8687 Hospital Drive, Ste. 104Douglasville, GA 30134

(770) 942-9442

KAKAAWVirginia Lewis - CEO & Co-founder

(404) 786-9516

HIGH CALIBER REALTYCarol Lindstrom

3590 Cherokee Street, NWSuite 301

Kennesaw, GA 30144(770) 405-0445

Welcome New Members!

MEMBERS MATTERAllstate - Bill Upton Agency

ALSCO Industrial Products, Inc.Angela’s Custom Concierge Service, LLC

Arlington Christian SchoolAssured & Associates Personal Care of GA

Atlanta’s Real BuildersAward Systems, Inc.Bank of the Ozarks

Billy C. Upton Agency, Inc.Bliss Hair Salon & Day SpaCentury 21 Bryant RealtyChanan Foundation, Inc.

Curb Appeal Lawn Care, LLCDay Star Tabernacle

Douglas County Disabilities CoalitionEdward Jones - Rocky Clay

Firehouse Subs-Thornton Rd.Georgia Department of Labor

H & R Block (Hwy. 5)Hawkinson, Muchnick & Associates, P.C.

La Quinta Inn & SuitesLiberty Mutual InsuranceLucille’s Resting Nest, LLC

Magnolia Golf GroupMcMaster-Carr Supply Co.

Miller & Hightower, Attorneys at LawP&N Engraving & Designs, Inc.

Pilot Club of SweetwaterPublic Education Trust Fund, Inc.

Ross Group IncScott K. Camp, Attorney at Law

Social 92, LLCSteak ‘N Shake

Sutton HallThe Woman’s Imaging Group

United Community BankUptown DentalValuTeachers

Chamber Matters, January 2015 Chamber Matters, January 2015

For sponsorship Information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.

BUSINESSAfter Hours

870 Thornton Road | Lithia Springs(770) 941-9000

www.johnbleakleyford.com

DOUGLAS COUNTY CHAMBER 2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDAECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

The Douglas County Chamber supports the adoption of tax policies and financial incentives, as well as the elimination of burdensome regulations in order to foster economic growth in Douglasville, Douglas County and all Georgia businesses. We support new initiatives, economic development tools and private sector investments that will enhance

our competitiveness, encourage innovation, and create new jobs for our community and Georgia as a whole. Our Chamber envisions a community Economic Development solution involving private public partnerships and a common vision for the future that will also retain and expand business in our community.

TRANSPORTATION:

We strongly encourage the state to identify other sound financing mechanisms, including nontraditional transportation revenue sources and user fees, to address the needs of our community’s and the state’s transportation infrastructure.

We appreciate the support of the HWY 92 Project as it moves forward through implementation

and request continued diligence to making sure funding is secured for the length of the project.

TAX FUNDING REFORM:Due to increased costs of juvenile justice reform, we urge the legislature to provide state funding to hire attorneys to prosecute, defend and represent all parties in

delinquency, CHNS and dependency cases as well as increase funding to all counties for community-based services for juveniles. Over several years, the General Assembly has passed significant tax reform legislation impacting county property tax and sales tax. Cleaning up these new laws should take

priority over crafting new legislative proposals, and Douglas County would like to partner to revise several new tax property tax reform laws.

WATER:To amend the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act, so as to allow for the certification of certain local water and/or

sewer authorities and storm water utilities as “local issuing authorities” by the Georgia EPD. Supports workable inter-basin water transfer regulation and the continued management of our region’s water resources to meet the needs of our growing population and

industrial sectors, and when practical, to incent individuals and businesses to invest in water management technologies.

EDUCATION:Continue restoration of full funding of the Quality Basic Education formula by eliminating austerity cuts or by decreasing austerity cuts again by at least 30%.

Require proposed legislation, impacting education, to be accompanied with full funding for implementation, and include aone year implementation delay with a fiscal note detailing budgetary impact.

Revise and finalize the flexibility options to include a school system’s ability to waive requirements, when choice options and other innovations are successfully implemented. Continue to support the practice of allowing local boards to approve class size waivers.

Chamber Matters, January 2015 Chamber Matters, January 2015

January 8 WellStar Douglas HospitalFebruary 5 West Georgia Technical CollegeMarch 12 Jones-Wynn Funeral HomeApril 2 Central Baptist ChurchMay 14 City of Douglasville June 11 AutoBuffs Express Car WashJuly 9 AVAILABLEAugust 13 AVAILABLESeptember 10 Church at ChapelhillOctober 8 High Caliber Realty, Wells Fargo, Bethany Howard Agency, Morris Hardwick & Schneider November 5 Diamonds ForeverDecember 3 Douglas County Government

8 - 9 a.m.Free for Members,

$20 for Guests

2015 Networking CalendarDC Chamber members say networking is the best benefit

of their Chamber membership...join us monthly at our events as we network our way through town!

January 20 2015 Economic Outlook Sponsored by T. Dennis Connally, CPA, P.C. February 17 Sponsor To Be Announced March 17 Sponsored by WellStar Douglas HospitalApril 21 Legislative Update Sponsored by Georgia Power CompanyMay 19 Leadership Douglas Graduation Sponsored by Google June 16 Industry Luncheon Sponsored by Douglas County Development Authority July 14 Small Businesses of Excellence Awards Sponsored by Kaiser PermanenteAugust 18 Sponsored by Mercer UniversitySeptember 15 United Way Kick-Off Sponsored by United Way October 20 Heroes Luncheon Sponsor To Be AnnouncedNovember 10 Thanks to Elected Officials Luncheon Sponsored by West Georgia Technical College

Noon - 1 p.m.

$20 for Members with RSVP, $30 for GuestsRSVP - 770.942.5022 or [email protected]

4 - 6 p.m.Free for Members, $20 for

Guests

January 29 City of Douglasville at Douglasville Conference CenterFebruary 26 AVAILABLEMarch 26 AVAILABLEApril 30 Assured Comfort Heating & AirMay 28 Chamber Raffle at The Centre at Arbor ConnectionJune 25 WellStar Douglas HospitalJuly 30 3Links TechnologyAugust 27 Douglas County SentinelOctober 29 Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club November 19 AVAILABLE December 17 Sponsor To Be Announced

COFFEE CARD

EXCHANGE

POWER LUNCHEON

BUSINESSAfter Hours

2014 Reflections from the ChairWhat a Ride! Looking back at 2014, it has been another busy and successful year for the Douglas County Chamber. From the first luncheon in January to the final Business After Hours in December, we had our share of business and fun more than 30 times at various events that I had the pleasure of leading in 2014. My ride on the other side of the podium are some of the best memories of my career so far, because of the engaged board, Chamber Staff, diplomats and most of all our dedicated membership. It was truly a pleasure to see the friendly, smiling faces of our membership during my tenure as Chairman at all the events.

Our main events were great successes as usual. The sold-out Annual Banquet was held at the Centre at Arbor Connection and continued to be one of our most successful fundraisers. In the spring, many of our members had the chance to highlight their businesses in a high profile venue at the Business to Community Expo at Arbor Place Mall. The Golf and Tennis Classic in September was a huge success, and this year the weather cooperated so the golfers and vendors remained dry and festive. On Halloween, the Chamber (OZ) hosted our annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon, and with the help of our board of directors grillers made sure that the well-attended lun-cheon proved that “there’s no place like home” when you’re a member of our Chamber.

Over the past year we have:• conducted over 50 Ribbon Cuttings. • secured a Seminar Sponsor in BB&T.• sold out the networking events and had 46 sponsors..• partnered with LD, YPC and City of Douglasville to collect 69 Pints of Blood during the blood drive benefitting the American Red Cross. • grew the Chairman’s Club to 25 members. • were recognized (through the Chamber Workforce Development) as the top example of a Successful Georgia’s Best Program within the Atlanta Regional Commission. • conducted the BIG Thank You by visiting our members with the help of the board, diplomats and staff.• increased member value through outstanding events and 25 professional development opportunities provid-ing training with professional presenters on topics that were highest rated on the completed member surveys.

As I end my year as Chairman, I am honored to have served the members of the Douglas County Chamber. We have an excellent leader in our President Kali Boatright and her exceptional team of Kimberly DeCenzo, Sara Ray, Janice Johnson, and Colleen Moffett. I am proud to say that I have been a volunteer at the Chamber in some capacity since 2003 and have seen the Chamber grow to be-come the voice of business in Douglas County under Kali’s leadership. The membership has great representation in its Board of Directors and Diplomats. These individuals volunteer their time for the betterment of the organization that includes almost 700 members.

I want to thank my wife and family for putting up with my work and volunteer schedule over the past year and actually embracing it - You are my world. I also want to thank my employer, Regions Bank, for allowing me to allocate the time it took to serve as Chair. I want to thank the Chamber membership for their contributions to the success of our organization. Finally, I would like to thank our board for allowing me to serve as Chairman 2014. I am indebted to you all and grateful for all you do for our community.

I started the year asking you to hold on and enjoy the ride, and I hope that over the past year you had fun, learned a little bit through the chamber programs, and genuine-ly benefitted from your association with the Douglas County Chamber, because I know that I did. And although my ride as Chair is over, I am looking forward to a continu-ing role as immediate-past chair and look forward to supporting our 2015 Chairman, Rosco Sayyar with Sam and Rosco’s and The Centre.

Matt BarringtonRegions Bank